Thief Returns Prized Pumpkin, Leaves Note

October 21, 2013

Ah yes, York, Pennsylvania. Home of the York Peppermint Patty, York International Air Conditioners, the rock band “Live,” and now prized pumpkin theft. On Sunday, a thief returned a 255-pound pumpkin a boy won at a Windsor Township Oktoberfest celebration, along with an apologetic note.

Nine-year-old Jaiden Newcomer correctly guessed the weight of the whopping pumpkin, and was able to take it home and put it on his family’s porch. The pumpkin was quickly swiped, though after a weekend outing, the Newcomer’s found that it had been returned.

The included note read, “I’m really sorry about taking your pumpkin, it was wrong of me, you earned the pumpkin, I didn’t think my actions through nor realize who they were affecting. Sincerest apologies.”

I’d once lived in York for 7 years, the self-styled first capital of the United States, and recall that the people there take their gourds, Indian corn, cucumbers, squash, melons and pumpkins quite seriously.

Jaiden’s mom Amy told the York Dispatch that her son is “very excited. He’s beside himself.”

Still, someone goes through the effort of jacking a 250 pound pumpkin from a stoop, from a little kid, but then apologizes, so the incident is now testament do-goodery and kindness. The late Norman Rockwell could’ve painted the situation. Some might say the present national ethos demands a serious reaching for anything that might resemble an ideal. Along with a serious reaching for recreational squash.

Live’s ode to York, featured on their 1994 album “Throwing Copper,” is entitled “Shit Towne:”

York, also known as Yorktown in the mid 18th to early 19th century, was founded in 1741 by settlers from the Philadelphia region, and named for the English city of the same name. Today, much of York’s culture is indicative the city’s evolving role as an agricultural and industrial center. Half of all Harley-Davidson employees work in York, and one of Starbucks’ four roasting facilities in the world exists just north of the city. And there’s big pumpkins.